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Benelux trademark protects Belgium, Netherlands and Luxemburg. In order to obtain trademark protection in Benelux you can register your trademark in two ways: First option is that you request registration in the entire European Union with one single application; this can be done via the European Union Trademark which grants trademark protection in the 28 country members of the EU (more info here). Second option is that you register directly your trademark in Benelux. If you want to proceed this way please follow the steps described belows.
Step 1 - Comprehensive Trademark Study
Planning to file a trademark in China? Don't risk wasting time and money on a registration that won't go through. Our Comprehensive Trademark Study helps you identify potential issues before you file, including conflicting trademarks and registrability issues. Our expert trademark attorneys provide an opinion on the registration possibilities of your trademark, giving you the confidence you need to move forward with your application.
Identify Potential Conflicts Before Filing Your Trademark
Expert Guidance to Avoid Costly Legal Disputes
Streamline Your Trademark Registration Process
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Step 2 - Trademark Application Filing
Our team of trademark attorneys will handle the entire process of filing your trademark application in China, ensuring that all necessary formalities are completed for the approval and final registration of your trademark. We'll keep you informed every step of the way, starting with a filing report that includes your application number and date of submission, as well as a scanned copy of your application. You can be confident that your application will be processed quickly and accurately.
Experienced Trademark Attorneys for Your Application
Filing Report and Scanned Copy of Trademark Application
Online Tracking of Trademark Registration Status
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Step 3 - Trademark Registration Certificate
Once your trademark application is approved, our team will handle all the formalities necessary to obtain your trademark registration certificate in China, ensuring the process is completed smoothly and efficiently. Once the certificate is issued, we'll send it to your address along with a report that includes your registration number. We'll also monitor and notify you of any important dates related to your registration to ensure that your trademark remains in good standing.
Experienced Trademark Attorneys Assistance
Delivery of Registration Certificate and Report
Monitoring and Notification of Important Dates
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Frequently Asked Questions
Trademark Registration
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Should I file my trademark in local characters?

Yes, for a broader and stronger protection in China, we recommend registering your trademark in local characters.

If the trademark is registered only in its original version (Latin characters), the protection does not always properly protect its equivalent in the local language. This means that a third party could use or register the same trademark (or a similar one) in local characters.

In additional to the legal benefits, the registration and use of the trademark in local characters can also have commercial benefits. The public in China will recognize your brand more easily if they are able to read and correctly pronounce the mark.

Registering your trademark in its original version, as well as local transliteration/translation, will provide a greater protection from any possible infringements.

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Is there a time frame for the trademark registration approval?

The average time frame for the registration approval is 15 months, if no objections or oppositions arise.

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If I register my trademark in China, do I have protection in other territories?

No. A registered mark is protected only in Mainland China.

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Do I need to sign a Power of Attorney?

Yes. A signed power of attorney is necessary.

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What are the phases of application after a trademark has been filed in China?

A trademark application in China has 3 phases:

 

  • Examination
  • Publication
  • Registration
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Is there any possibility to claim priority in China?

Yes. Applicants may claim priority application if the following conditions are met:

  • If the applicant’s home country is a member of the Paris Convention
  • If the date of the home application is within 6 months prior to the filing of an application in China.
  • If the applicant’s home country is a member of the World Trade Organization
  • If an international registration can be based on this registration
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What do I need to do to satisfy the use requirement?

The registered mark must be used within 3 consecutive years after registration. The use requirement is minimal and must occur in China.

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Once my trademark has been registered, for how many years will be valid?

The registered mark is valid for 10 years.

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How many applications should I file?

The answer to this question depends on the characteristics of your mark, your budget and the scope of protection that you would like to have in China.

If your trademark contains distinctive verbal elements (text) as well as design elements (graphics or logos) and you wish both to be protected, our recommendation is to file two trademark applications; one to protect just the verbal elements (the application will be filed as “Word Mark”) and another to protect just the design elements (the application will be filed as “Combined Mark”).

In this case, proceeding with two trademark applications has the following advantages:

  1. Broader and stronger protection. If a third party files a “Combined Mark” with very similar text to yours but different design, their “Combined Mark” could be accepted for registration if you only filed a “Combined Mark” and not a “Word Mark,” because in its entirety the third party’s mark is still considered different from yours.
  2. You will be protected if your logo evolves. It is common for companies to change the design of their logo with time. If you file a “Combined Mark” and not a “Word Mark,” your new logo will not be protected. You must use your trademark exactly as registered; if you don’t, your trademark may be subject to cancellation.
  3. Effective verbal and graphics protection. Filing a “Word Mark” application provides greater flexibility to use your mark in different ways, whether it is presenting it in stylized text or presenting it with different designs (as long as they are not too similar to registered trademarks that belong to third parties). At the same time, filing a “Combined Mark” allows you to protect the design elements of your mark.

If your trademark also contains a slogan or a distinctive design symbol, we suggest you file a specific application for each, as this will give you additional protection.

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Does having a registered trademark in China give me any right?

Registration is required in order to obtain trademark rights. The “first to file” rule is applicable in China.

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Is there any need to use my trademark before I apply for registration?

No. Actual use or intent to use is not required.

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Who can contest my trademark application?

Any interested parties may oppose a trademark application. This includes the owner of an earlier right, a licensee, or anyone.

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Is it possible to cancel a registration?

Yes. The following are grounds for cancellation:

 

  • Descriptive mark
  • Misleading and/or deceptive mark
  • Lack of distinctiveness
  • Generic mark
  • Mark is a geographical indication
  • Functional mark
  • Violation of public policy or principles of morality
  • Unauthorized marks by competent authorities pursuant to Article 6ter of the Paris Convention
  • Inclusion of a badge or emblem of particular public interest
  • Using of the mark in a misleading manner
  • Prohibited marks in this jurisdiction
  • Application was made in bad faith
  • Registrant’s breach of a technical provision of the law
  • Fraudulent registration
  • Use Requirements under Section V.G. are not met
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Are there any rights established by having a registered trademark?

The following rights are established by having a registered trademark:

  • Exclusive right to use the registered mark
  • Right to oppose subsequent conflicting applications
  • Right to bring a cancellation action against subsequent conflicting registrations
  • Right to file an infringement case against third parties for using a confusingly similar mark
  • Right to license third parties to use the registered mark
  • Right to apply for seizure of counterfeit goods bearing the registered mark (these are seized by the customs authorities)
  • Right to receive damages from third parties for infringing the registered mark
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How long is the opposition period?

The opposition period will start on the publication date.

 

The opposition period will end three months after the publication date.

Basic Concepts
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What are trademark classes?

Trademark Offices around the world use classes to divide commercial products and services into defined categories.  When you apply for your trademark to protect your brand, you must define the class or classes that you believe best describe your business activity. 

Countries around the world have standardized 45 classes (34 for products and 11 for services) for international use under the Nice International Classification.

These classes group all known products and services. If applicable, you can register the same trademark in more than one class; for example, you may register the trademark KING for computers in class 23 and register the same trademark in class 24 for cosmetics. 

Trademark protection only extends to commercial use within your specified classes.  It is, therefore, possible for two entities conducting business in different classes to use identical or similar trademarks and for each entity to enjoy full trademark protection in their respective classes. If you feel that protection should extend to include more than one class, you can choose multiple classes under which to conduct business.

You can search for your trademark class with this Trademark Class Search tool.

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Do I have to specify the products and services?

Yes, you have. It is not possible to register trademarks that are too descriptive or generic. For example, you cannot register the term 'CAR' for automobiles. You also cannot register a trademark that is like other marks. For example, you cannot register a trademark like HAMASON as an online bookstore because it resembles the Amazon brand name.  

If you are unaware of which class or classes best protect your goods and services, we recommend you order the Trademark Study. Our experienced attorneys will review your product or service description and match it to the class or classes most for your business activity. 

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What is a priority claim and when can I use it?

A priority claim is an allowance based on Article 4 of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property. It enables you as the owner of a filed trademark to file subsequent trademark applications in any of the Convention’s signatory countries using the effective date of your first application as long as you file the subsequent applications within six months of your original trademark application.  That means if you apply for a trademark in Canada, five months later, you can apply for a trademark in France using the effective date of your Canadian application.

We strongly recommend that you submit your additional applications as soon as possible after your base application.  Many countries have strict requirements regarding the type of documentation required in order to claim priority (sometimes including legalization and translation of the original application). 

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What happens if oppositions or objections arise during the registration process?

The purpose of the Trademark Study is to assess the probabilities of objections and oppositions. If objections or oppositions arise, Nominus.com relies on experienced Trademark Attorneys that will guide you in the appropriate course of action.

Upon notification of an office action or opposition, we strive to:

  • Communicate the details of the action to you as quickly as possible.
  • Include future steps and possible arguments.
  • Monitor deadlines and explain the costs to prepare and submit a response, if applicable.
     
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What does it mean to file a trademark with a Claim of Priority?

A Claim of Priority, often referred to as Convention Priority, is a provision outlined in the Paris Convention. This provision enables applicants to seek trademark protection in any member nation within six months from their first filing, all while maintaining the initial application date. This mechanism provides applicants with a priority advantage for registering their trademark in all member countries of the Paris Union, streamlining the process of securing international trademark protection.

Trademark Search
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Why do I need to perform a trademark search?

Once you have a product or service and think you have a name for it, how do you know you can use it as your own? What happens if you unintentionally use a registered trademark name? 

Too many people use a name without knowing whether or not they have the legal right to do so. They organize massive marketing campaigns with names they later find they’re not allowed to use. Performing a trademark search before deciding which trademark to register is a wise thing to do, especially when you consider future risks of litigation.  

It is a good idea to carry out some research before starting to do business with a trademark. It may not be in your best interest to use a mark if another company is already actively conducting business in the same class.  The other company may object to you using the trademark and legally prohibit you from doing so.

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What is a preliminary trademark search?

Your preliminary trademark search is an important first step before you spend time and money considering whether to apply for a potential trademark or not.

If you have trademark experience, you can use our free trademark search engine, or others like the TMView trademark search engine, to search for existing marks that are identical to your planned trademark. While preliminary trademark searches are a critical part of your registration process, a successful search that shows no conflicts with identical marks does not necessarily mean the Trademark Office will not reject your registration application. 

if you have little or no experience dealing with trademarks, we suggest you find professional help. Our company offers the service Trademark Study. The Study will give you details about the classes where might want to register your trademark, it will also list identical and similar trademarks, and finally, it will provide you an Attorney's recommendation about registration possibilities and use of your trademark.

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Where can I perform a trademark search?

If you know a little about trademark registration, you can search using any online trademark search tool. If not, we recommend that you hire a trademark attorney or trademark service like Nominus.com to handle your trademark registration requirements, especially the trademark search because the process is complex and relatively time-consuming.

Please note that if you don’t manage to complete the application process correctly, the registration can drag on for several months and end up costing far more than you intended to pay. The trademark search is a critical part of the process.

A broad trademark search is essential in today's marketplace, given the increasing number of unregistered and common law trademarks. Globalization also raises the question of entering international markets and registering trademarks in foreign countries to protect both your brand and your property rights.

Please note that even a complete trademark search does not necessarily guarantee your trademark will be accepted and registered. A  Trademark Study includes an extended review process and, more significantly, a formal evaluation of the likelihood that your application will be successful.

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